Our house...

We have been in our new house for two weeks now, but it feels like home and that we've been here for much longer.

Poor Ethan has been dragged around Home Depot (US version of B&Q) day after day. Its a HUGE store and has everything the new homeowner could want or need. The service there is fantastic and choice amazing- I love it but Ethans not quite so keen!

We still do not have a lot of items, one of them being a lawnmower. However, here its pretty common to have a lawn service. Once a week, a neighborhood guy comes by and mows the front and back lawn, its pretty inexpensive and of course hassle free! I don't remember it happening much in the UK but maybe I am wrong- do any of my UK friends use one?

This week Ethan has day camp all week which will just be amazing for him, friends, food and crazy running around. I think he will be happy and it gives me a bit of time to get some chores done and also to help with pony camp for a little while.

This time of year is always a bit nuts for us, Nics Birthday, our anniversary and then Ethans Birthday. Its crazy but fun and I love the bustle of it all. Oh on top of which we have visitors and plans to build a patio- ha never a dull moment!

Settling in

I can't quite believe how much we have got done in the past few days. We are in the house and a good way through unpacking everything already. The house is everything we hoped it would be and we love the open feel it has, the dogs are enjoying the space too and really loving rolling on Nics brand new carpets ha ha!

The house has had lots done prior to our moving in, new gutters, new roof, furnace repairs and so on. It makes me feel happy as I know we are warm and secure in the house. We do have a lot to do, repainting inside, new patio, new windows, basement conversion and so forth, but over time it will get there and will be quite special by the time we are done I think.

Sometimes its overwhelming thinking about all the improvements that we want to get done, but I have to remind myself that there is no rush, the house is gorgeous as is and we will attack things as and when we can.

It is lovely to have some spare time to sit and blog, with my cup of PG Tips close by. We are off soon to get some items from Home Depot (like Homebase/ B&Q) and also a Costco trip which is always fun!

I will get Ethan to do the official 'house tour' for you all soon, love to you all!

Gem x

The new roof! I love it!

And GO!

Moving is pretty stress free in the US. That is until a moving company screws up...

Our move was booked in for the Sunday with a company called Youmoveme they had already delivered boxes and wrapping and we had begun the packing process, they were supposed to do a large amount of the packing but luckily my amazing hubby had already begun the process and done a huge amount.

Saturday morning I woke up and realized that since the confirmation email I hadn't heard from them to check addresses or anything else. I called them first thing and began to worry when I sat on hold for ten minutes. They came back on the phone and advised that there had been a clerical error and our move had been cancelled! We left it to them to try to fix it but a few hours later they basically advised us that there is nothing they can do. Panic stations! Nic then called around and found a company who could move us, it was a different service so we had a day of manic packing, but at least we had found someone.

We had already hired a trailer so that we could move the garage stuff ourselves so we hauled about five loads over to the new house and managed to get the kitchen unpacked too.

Today we are aching and tired but just starting the move really! The movers should be here within a few hours and away we will go!

Almost time

It's my last night here and we have had the best time in the UK.

It's been quite a few weeks. Since we landed, the UK have left Europe, lost a prime minister and gained a new one. We have had rain, sun, wind: usual English weather really. We have seen more friends than I can remember and hugged, laughed and cried time after time.

I feel hopeful tonight, amidst sadness that we have to say farewell again, is a ray of exciting end about our future. So tonight I'm not thinking about goodbyes but instead and happy and thankful for the amazing time we have had here.

Love all my family and friends so very much.

Here's a memory of Ethan watching the London Olympic parade four years ago. Great memories :)

Crazy, busy weeks

Well, it has been nuts so far!

I feel like we are just rushing around like crazy but what fun it's been.

This week I got to spend a few nights with my friend Neill and her boyfriend Henry. We had a very busy few days drinking our body weights in champagne and partying at Henley Festival. We went to watch Elton John and started the night with a tailgate party for over 40 guests, then into Henley and we managed to lose each other. This ended up ok, as I stood right in the front row, touching distance from the stage and a prime view of Elton, I danced until my feet felt like they were falling off and met some lovely people that evening. It was great to spend time with my American friend in England!

Then fly back to Surrey to pick up Ethan, onto visits in Berkshire with Evie, Dave and the cutest baby. After that swing by to see my lovely friend Caroline and Arthur who's a dear friend of Ethans, they took about two seconds to get back to their usual crazy carnage, just adorable!

Finally we swung over to Beckys which will be our home for the next few days until we swing back to my mums for a night before we leave... Phew!

This morning we ran to Newbury and then over to Ethans old school for hellos and hugs. It is still the most special and wonderful place and they were over the moon to see Ethan and myself.

We are really pretty exhausted already and still have so many visits to do. I just hope we can fit them all in.

Tonight I'm out with the girls for a night in Newbury! I can't wait to see them all again and eat great food and maybe stretch to a glass or two of wine as well 😸 

Oh and apologies for the lack of photos, my iPhone died so I am running on a cheap temporary which doesn't take any shots, life never runs smoothly does it? 

Embracing life

Today I realised, that although I have enjoyed my last year is the US, I haven't truly embraced it. I have found myself comparing things there to the UK, and inevitably, finding it coming up short on most things. Not because it's worse, but, because like for like, its so very different.

I have realised today that maybe I need to stop comparing the two, and instead see them as two different places that both offer totally different things. Neither being better of worse necessarily, both just being different ffrom the other. Each country has great things about it, and each country has frustrating aspects too. 

I am having a great time visiting in England, my week with Dad is coming to an end, and tomorrow I am off for two days with my close friend Neill, followed by awhile with Becky, Martyn and the twins. I am having a fantastic time, but missing my hubby, the dogs and gorgeous Colorado.

So, an incredibly exciting week planned with lots of friends catch ups! Yay